35-Minute Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup Kids Devour

Name: 35-Minute Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup Kids Devour
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups broccoli, chopped; 1 cup carrots, diced; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup dairy-free cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 cup unsweetened almond milk; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

Author: lia

Published: December 11, 2025

Broccoli cheddar soup dairy free for kids

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Let me tell you about the soup that saved my sanity last winter when both kids declared war on vegetables! This creamy dairy-free broccoli cheddar soup became our secret weapon – packed with sneaky nutrients but tasting like pure comfort food. I swear, watching my picky 6-year-old ask for seconds still makes me do a little happy dance in the kitchen.

The magic? A velvety texture that fools everyone into thinking it’s loaded with dairy, when really we’re using clever swaps like almond milk and melty dairy-free cheddar. It’s got that classic broccoli cheddar flavor kids love, minus the tummy troubles for sensitive little ones. Plus, those bright green flecks? Total bonus points for making veggies look fun instead of scary.

Broccoli cheddar soup dairy free for kids - detail 1

Why You’ll Love This Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup for Kids

Oh my gosh, where do I even start? This soup is my go-to when I need a win in the mom department. Here’s why it’s about to become your kitchen MVP too:

Creamy dreaminess without the dairy – That rich, velvety texture comes from blended veggies and almond milk. My kids never guess it’s dairy-free!
Veggie powerhouse – Broccoli and carrots disappear into this golden goodness. I call it “hidden vegetable magic.”
30 minutes from pot to table – When the after-school hunger strikes, this soup saves the day in no time.
Kid-tested, picky-eater approved – The cheesy flavor wins over even my toughest critics. (And trust me, I’ve got professional-level critics at my table.)

Seriously, watch those little spoons keep coming back for more – that’s the real magic right there.

Ingredients for Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup for Kids

Okay, let’s gather our kitchen treasures! Here’s everything you’ll need to work that dairy-free magic. I’m a stickler for prepping ingredients first – trust me, it makes the cooking process so much smoother when you’re wrangling kids at the same time.

2 cups broccoli, chopped small – Those little green trees should be bite-sized for tiny mouths. I chop the florets and use the tender stems too!
1 cup carrots, diced – About 2 medium carrots cut into pea-sized pieces – they sweeten the soup beautifully
1 small onion, chopped – Any color works, but I love sweet yellow onions here
2 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh is best! That pungent bite mellows into something magical
2 tbsp olive oil – Our sautéing superstar
4 cups vegetable broth – Low-sodium so we can control the salt
1 cup dairy-free cheddar, shredded – My kids love Violife or Daiya for maximum meltiness
1 cup unsweetened almond milk – The creamy base that makes it rich
1 tbsp cornstarch – Our secret thickener
1/2 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp black pepper – Season to your family’s taste

See? Simple, wholesome stuff that comes together into something extraordinary. Now let’s get cooking!

How to Make Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup for Kids

Okay, let’s make some magic happen! This soup comes together so easily – even with little ones “helping” in the kitchen. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have creamy, dreamy broccoli cheddar goodness in no time.

Sautéing the Vegetables

First, grab your favorite soup pot and heat that olive oil over medium. When it shimmers (but before it smokes – trust me, I’ve learned that lesson the hard way!), toss in your onions and garlic. That sizzle means we’re off to a great start! Cook them for about 2 minutes until they smell amazing and the onions turn translucent.

Now add your broccoli and carrots. I like to stir everything together and let it cook for 5 minutes. You’ll see the bright green broccoli soften slightly – this is when my kids start peeking into the pot with curiosity instead of suspicion!

Simmering the Soup

Pour in that vegetable broth and crank up the heat until it boils. Once bubbling, immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. This is where the flavors really get to know each other! Let everything hang out for 15 minutes – the broccoli and carrots should be fork-tender but still vibrant.

Adding Creaminess

Here comes the fun part! Stir in the almond milk and dairy-free cheddar. Watch that cheese melt into gooey perfection. Now mix the cornstarch with a couple tablespoons of water until smooth, then whisk it into the soup. Keep stirring for about 5 minutes as it thickens into that velvety texture kids love.

Want extra creaminess? Here’s my secret – blend half the soup before adding the cheese. Just be careful with hot liquids! I use an immersion blender right in the pot for less mess. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and voila – dairy-free magic ready to delight tiny taste buds!

Broccoli cheddar soup dairy free for kids - detail 2

Tips for Perfect Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup for Kids

After making this soup roughly a million times (okay, maybe just weekly for two years), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

Blend smart: For ultra-creamy texture, blend just half the soup – it keeps some chunky bits that kids find fun to eat. Use an immersion blender right in the pot to avoid messy transfers.
Cheese timing is everything: Add dairy-free cheese off the heat at first to prevent curdling, then return to low heat. If it gets grainy, a quick blend fixes everything!
Taste as you go: Kids’ palates vary – let them sprinkle extra cheese on top or add a pinch more salt at the table.

Remember – no two batches are identical, and that’s part of the charm!

Ingredient Substitutions for Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Listen, we’ve all been there – halfway through cooking when you realize you’re out of almond milk or the kids used up all the dairy-free cheese as “snacks.” No panic! This soup is super flexible. Here are my favorite swaps that still keep it delicious:

Milk alternatives: Cashew milk makes it extra creamy, while oat milk adds natural sweetness. Coconut milk works too, but gives a tropical twist!
Cheese options: No dairy-free cheddar? Try shredding vegan mozzarella or stirring in 2 tbsp nutritional yeast for that cheesy umami kick.
Broccoli boost: Frozen broccoli florets work perfectly in a pinch – just thaw and pat dry first.
Flavor builders: Swap carrots for sweet potatoes when you want extra vitamin A.

The beauty? You can mix and match based on what’s in your fridge!

Serving Suggestions for Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This soup loves company! My kids adore dipping toasted gluten-free bread or crackers into that creamy goodness – the crunch contrast makes it extra fun. For lunchboxes, I pour it into thermoses with a side of homemade seed crackers. Rainy day perfection? Serve in colorful mugs they can sip while telling me about their day.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This soup keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container – they’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, go low and slow over medium heat, stirring often. The dairy-free cheese can get finicky, so I always add a splash of almond milk to bring back that creamy perfection.

Nutritional Information for Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Here’s the scoop on what’s nourishing those little bodies! Keep in mind these numbers are estimates – your exact counts will vary slightly based on the brands you use. Per serving, this soup packs about 180 calories with 3g fiber and 6g protein from all those wholesome veggies. It’s got 10g of healthy fats (mostly from the olive oil and almond milk) and only 4g natural sugars. The best part? Zero cholesterol while delivering a big dose of vitamin C from the broccoli. Now that’s what I call a mom win!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this dairy-free broccoli cheddar soup?
Absolutely! Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving an inch for expansion. It keeps beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently with a splash of almond milk to bring back the creamy texture. My kids love when I stash single servings for easy lunches!

What dairy-free cheese works best?
After testing dozens, my top pick is Violife cheddar-style shreds – they melt like a dream! Daiya and Follow Your Heart work well too. Pro tip: Avoid coconut-based cheeses if your kids are sensitive to that flavor. The sharper the vegan cheddar, the more it mimics the real deal!

My soup turned out thin – how can I thicken it?
No worries! Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water, then stir into simmering soup. Or blend in 1/4 cup cooked white beans for extra protein and thickness. Both tricks have saved many a “too-runny” batch in my kitchen!

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
You bet! Sauté veggies first (that flavor foundation matters!), then dump everything except the cheese into the crockpot. Cook on low 4 hours or high 2 hours, stirring in cheese at the end. Perfect for busy school nights!

Final Thoughts

This soup has become more than just a recipe in our house – it’s the taste of cozy afternoons and small victories against picky eating. I hope it brings your family as much joy as it’s brought mine! Give it a try and let me know how your little ones like it. Happy cooking, friends!

Find more recipes on my Pinterest board!